Electric switch



c. 0. STIRLING.

ELECTRIC SWITCH.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. I4. I918.

1,3 1 4,098. a Patented Aug. 26, 1919.

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"CLARENCE c. snnmne, or HARTFORD, QONNECTICU'I, ASSIGNOR, roams HART &

HEG'EMAN MANIJ'FACTURING COMPANY, OF HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT, A COR- ronamon .01 CONNECTICUT.

Z '0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CLARENCE C.S TI RLING, a citizen of the United States, residing at Hartford, in the county of Hartford and stance one' of the pendent snap kind. I have several motives in View, among them being the provision of an appurtenance of the character set forth, which is quite compact and the action of the parts of which is certain and positive.

In the drawings accompanying and forming part of the present specification I have represented in detail one of the several forms of embodiment of the invention which to enable those skilled in the art to practice the same will be set forth fully in the following dficription. I do not necessarily restrict myself to this particular disclosure; I may depart therefrom in several respects within the scope of the invention defined by the claims following said description.

Referring to said drawings:

Figure 1 is a vertical section of a switch involving the invention.

Fig. 2 is a similar view, the section being taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Figs. 3 and 4 are cross sections on the lines 33 and H respectively of Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows.

- Like characters refer to like parts throughout the several views.

The diiferent parts of the switch may be sustained by a suitable support, that shown for the purpose being denoted by 2. The

support comprises in its make-up a cylindrical body 3, practically closed at its upper end and open atthe bottom to snugly receive the plug or closing member -l, the plug and top of the body being separated to produce I a chamber or cavity in which certain of the operative parts are housed.

The body and the plug together with'the cap 5 associated therewith are of insulating material, such as common in pendent switches of various kinds. The cap is removably associated with the body for instance by interengaging screw threads. The cap as shown has in its Specification of Letters Patent.

ELECTRIC swrrcn.

Patented Aug. 26, 1919.

Application filed August 1 4, 1918. Serial No. 249,759.

top the opening 6 through which the complemental wires as 7 are shown as extending, the lower ends of these Wires being ob viously bared for electrical connection with suitable contact members. The contact members for this purpose are each denoted in a generalway by 8. Each involves a body or shank 9 of arcuate formation to fit snuglyagainst the inner surface of the segmental slot or opening 8' in the top of the body 3. Through these bodies 9 are passed the shanks of the holding down screws 10, having a threaded connection with the body 3 diametrically opposite each other, the heads of the screws receiving the bared ends of the two wires 7 and pressing the same against the shanks or bodies 9 of the respective contact members. These shanks or bodies 9 alsoreceive the screws 11 passed through the body 3 from the exterior thereof. The slot or opening 8 is'segmental, the result being that what might be considered at one side of said slot. or opening is a segmental extension 12 having a notch 13, the function of which will be hereinafter explained. One end of each contact member 8 abuts against thissegmental extension 12 practically at the base thereof, the other end having an inturned finger or Obviously the con-.

tically in parallelism with each other and united at their upper ends by the connecting piece or cylinder 17 Between these branches 16 extends the push-rod 18 constituting a suitable actuator for the switching member or contactor. These arms, branches or sides 16 of the switching member arespringy or resilient, and the reason for this will hereinafter appear and may be made of suitable material, such as spring stock. The connecting piece or cylinder 17 acts in connection with the upper ends of the complemental branches of the switching member to bridge across the contact members 8 when the circllit is closed as shown for instance by dotted lines in Fig. 1. When the switching memher is in this relation, obviously-it carries the current across the two contact members.

The push-rod extends comparatively freely through diametrically opposite openings 19 in the cylindrical part of the body 3 and its ends are'manipula' ble to effect-the action of the switch to either open or close-the ci-rcult as-shown respectively by full and dotted lines in said Fig. l. a

The branches or sides 16 have inturned feet 20 which as shown are at all times in (iverlappedrelation, these feet havingre spectively angular'faces 21, and 22 w'hich converge at the outer ends of the respective feet practically A centrally thereof. Through the branches or sides 16015 the switching member and also through the actuator or push-rod 18 substantially cen trally of the length thereof extends freely the pin 23, the ends of the pin entering quite freely diametrically opposite elongated slots or notches 24 in thecylindrical part of the body 3. Rising from the bottom 4 prac tically centrally thereof is the stud or projection 25 constituting a suitable governing element.

' In Fig. 1 the full lines show the parts in the open-circuited position. At this time the fixed or stationary stud 25 fitsa mouth or aperture in the switching member 15 jointly. produced by the similar faces 21 as shown for example by full lines in Fig. 4. It will be supposed that it is desired toclose the circuit. In this event the following pro:

:' cedure will be adoptedaThe push-rod 18 will be thrust to the. left in said F ig. 1 and will carry the lower portion of the switching member 15 therewith", the stud on said motion entering the space presented jointly by thetwo faces 21 and thus expand outwardly the lower portions of the resilient or spring branches 16, the motion continuing until the apexes or juncture of the faces 21 and 22 of said branchesreach! the transverse centerline of the fixed stud25; They f are almost shown in this particularrelation by the two series of dotted lines on the right in Fig. 4, the push-rod duriiig this time being assumed to be movingfii the direction of the arrow. In this particular view the said apeXes have not quite reached the transverse center line of the stud; VVhen, however, they have passed saidti'ansverse center line, the branches or sides 1 6 by their resiliency approach each'otherrapdrthe faces 22 relatlvely ride downthe stud125 at an accelerated rate of speed and at thesame time cause the snap movementof-the switching member on or about thepivot or pin 22 and the consequent projection of the principal part of the switching member between the fingers or contact portions 14. When the parts are shown in the 0H relation as shown bv full lines in said Fig. land best in Fig.

3, the upper portion of the switching member 15 a will be perceived, fits within the notch 13, which is diametrically opposite to the space between the fingers or contact portions 14.

What I claim is:

1 An electric switch comprising anactuator, a swinging switching member includmg a. springarm which swings therewith,

the. actuator being connected ,with .the switching'niember, and a fixedstud supported independently of the actuator and the switching member, in the path of movement of the spring arm, the actuator on its movement causing the spring arm to traverse the stud and thus bend the same in a (ll? rection transverseto the direction of swing ing motion of the switching member and thereby condition. the. spring arm for. imparting a snap movement to the switching member when the spring arm i releaseidby the stud, the actuator having a movement beyond the point at which the'spring arm is thus conditioned, during which the stud releases the spring arm.

2. An electric switch comprising an actuator, a swinging switching member includ-- ing spaced spring arms which swing there with, the actuator being, connected with the switching member, and. a stud supported'independently of the actuator and the switching member, in the path of the spring arms,

the actuator on its movement causing the.

yond which the said spring arms are thusbent to release the arms, and the arms when freed imparting a snap movement to the.

switching member.

3. An electr1c switch comprising an actuator, a swlnging switching member includmg a' spring arm which swings therewith,

the actuator being connected with the swinging member, and a 'fixeclo cylindrical stuct g supported independentlv of the actuator anc the switchin member. in the pathof moverection. transverse-to the direction of swing ing movement of the switching member and;

' ment of the spring arm, the actuator onits movement causing the spring arm to traV- erse the stud and thus bend the arm in a dithereby condition the spring arm to impart' a snap movement to the switching member when the spring arm is released by the stud, the actuator having a movement b vond the point at which the spring arm is thus conditioned during which the stud releases the spring'arm, the latter acting to complete the motion of the switching member.

4. An electric switch including an actuiaof ator, mounted for back and forth movements of the stud, the latter thereby bending the spring arms simultaneously in a direction transverse to' the direction of swinging motion of the switching member -to thereby condition the spring arms to impart a snap movement to the switching member when released, the actuator having a movement beyond that during whichsald spring arms are thus bent to release the arms and the arms when freed imparting a'snap movement to "the switching member.

5. An electric switch comprising an actuator,a bodily movable switching. member having resilient arms, the actuator being connected with the switching member, and a fixed stud, the actuator being ada ted to causethe spring arms to engage t e stud and thus spread the arms and subsequently free the same from the stud, the arms when freed acting to cause a snap movement of the switching member.

6. An electric switch comprising a actu-' ator, a bodily movable swinging switching member havlng sprmg arms,-an actuator extending between the spring arms, a pin extending through the'spring arms and also through the actuator and mounted for lateral movement, and a fixed stud, the actuator being adapted to cause the spring arms to ride along and then pass free of the stud, the spring arms as they ride along the stud being conditioned to impart a snap movement to theswitching member and causing said movement when they are freed.

7. An electric switch comprising an actuator, a bodily movable swinging swit hing.

member having resilient side branches, the actuator being connected with the switching member, and an abutment supported independently of the actuator and the switching member, the actuator on its movement causing the switching member to traverse the abutment and at the same time flex the branches thereof in condition to 'cause the same to impart a snap movementto the switchin member, the actuator having a continued movement beyond the point at which the said branches are thus tensioned ator, a swinging resilient switching member connected with the actuator for swinging movement thereby, and means for causing the flexing of the switching member to thus tension the same and then its release, whereby it can react, the 'tensioning movement being transverse to the swinging movement.

9. An electric switch comprising an actuator and a swinging switching member having resilient side branches jointed to the actuator, and means for causing the separation of the branches of the switching member on a predetermined movement of the actuator and then releasing said branches, so that they can resume their initial positions and thus cause a snap movement of the switching member.

10. An electric switch comprising an actu- Qator, a switching member including spring means, the actuator being connected with the switching member, and a stud supported inand the said branches having in turn overlapping feet provided with faces which converge at the outer ends of the feet practically centrally thereof, and a fixed stud, the actuator being adapted to cause said faces to engage the stud and thus separate said side branches, and subsequently to free the same from the stud, the branches when freed reactin to cause a snap movement of the switc ing member.

12. An electric switch comprising an actuator, a bodily movable switching member having resilient side branches, the actuator being connected with the switching member and thesaid branches having in turn overlapping feet provided with faces which converge at the outer ends of the feet, and a fixed stud, the actuator being adapted to cause said faces to engage the stud and thus separate said side branches andsubsequently to free the same from the stud, the branches when freed reacting to cause a snap movement of the switching member.

13. An electric switch comprising an actuator, a swinging switching member having resilient side branches, the actuator extending betweenthe branches of the switching member and being connected therewith, said branches having in turn overlapping feet provided with faces, and a fixed stud, the

actuator being adapted to cause the faces to engage the stud and thus separate said side branches and subsequently to free the same from the stud, the branches when freed 'reacting to cause a snap movement of the switching member.

14. An electric switch comprising an actuator, a bodily movable switching member having resilient side branches, actuator being' extended'between and connected with the side branches, the latter having overlappingfeet provided with angular faces which converge at the outer ends of the feet practically centrally thereof, and a fixed stud, the actuator being adapted to cause said faces to engage the stud and thus separate side branches and subsequently to free the same from the stud, the branches when freed reacting to cause a snap movement of the switching member. v

15. An electric switch col'nprislng an actuator, a bodily movable swinging member having resilient side branches, an actuator extending between the s1de branches, a pin extending through the side branches and which converge at the outer ends of the feet practically centrally thereof, and a fixed stud, the actuator being adapted .to cause said faces to engage the stud and thus separate said side branches and subsequently to free the same from the SbUCl.,'tl-1e branches when freed reacting to cause a. snap movement of the switching member.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

CLARENCE C. STIRLING. Witnesses:

L. L. MARKEL, HEATH SUTHERLAND. 

